plate tectonics Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

crust

A

the outermost shell of a rocky planet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

mantle

A

layer of molten rock between the crust and core

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

core

A

made up of mostly iron. Separated into the outer core (molten) and inner core ( solid)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

tectonic plate

A

the layer of rock that makes up the outer part of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle (lithospheric plate)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

continental drift theory

A

the theory that continents gradually drifted overtime to their present positions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

asthenosphere

A

a thin layer of Earth, about 150 miles thick, at the border between the mantle and the crust

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

convention currents

A

the process in which the hotter parts of a gas or liquid rise to the top and the cooler, denser parts sink.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

convergent boundary

A

when two tectonic plates come together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

mountains

A

uplift of crystals plates that form elevated landmasses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

volcanoes

A

a vent or fissure in Earth’s surface through which magma and gases are expelled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

divergent boundary

A

when tectonic plates split apart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

transform boundary

A

when tectonic plates slide past each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

fault

A

breaks in the crust. The movement causes seismic waves which produces earthquakes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

mid-ocean ridge

A

a long ridge of underwater volcanoes between two diverging oceanic plates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

subduction zone

A

a place where one tectonic plate sinks under another and melts. Also forms a trench

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

rift valley

A

A long narrow valley between two diverging continental plates.